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BARRED FROM BRITISH RADIO LONDON, England, May 8.— The British Broadcasting Company, which has a radio monopoly in Great Britain, decided today to boycott the peace appeal, which was broadcast tonight from Verdun, France, by the Duke of Windsor. No official explanation was made for the decision to withhold the speech of the ex-king from British listeners, but the government broadcasting authorities were believed to have been influenced by resentment aroused over plans of the Duke to broadcast while the present King, George VI, is en route to the United States. The Duke of Windsor spoke from the battlefield of Verdun. His speech was heard in the United States through the stations of the National Broadcasting Company, and* British listeners who desired to hear their former king, despite the British Broadcasting Company ban, could tune in on American or French stations. The Duke was disturbed by the reaction in Great Britain, particularly by hints tnat he was displaying unseemly activity the moment his brother had left the country, but no changes were i made in his broadcasting plans. Taking cognizance of the unfavorable reaction in certain circles in London, the Duke gave the following statement to the Evening News: "When the Duke of Windsor accepted an invitation to broadcast from Verdun, he did so realizing that some criticism was likely. He is sincerely convinced, however, that a personal and non-political message might have some value just now, and he feels, with the uncertainty of the present situation, there is no time to lose in giving one."
